Thursday, December 11, 2014

Our guest post today is by Prue Batten, author of The Gisborne Trilogy who is appearing on
the The Path Less Travelled: Indie
Publishing and the Freedom to Explore on Sunday 22nd March 2015.

Prue is a former journalist who graduated with majors in
history and politics, and is also a farmer, dog owner, gardener, kayaker and
embroiderer.

Initially a writer of historical fantasy, in 2012 her third
novel, A Thousand Glass Flowers, won
a silver medal with the Readers’ Favorites USA Annual Book Awards. In the same year, her first historical fiction, Gisborne: Book of Pawns (Book One of The Gisborne Saga), was awarded an
honourable mention in the Golden Claddagh Book Awards USA. Set within the
turbulent twelfth century the same book received an honourable mention in the
RONE Awards USA in 2013.

Book of Pawns and Book of Knights (Books Two and Three of the saga)
have ranked in the Top 100 of biographical fiction on Amazon.co.uk since July
of 2013. Book of Kings, the third and
final novel in the trilogy, ranked in the Top 100 of biographical fiction in
the UK within its first 24 hours of publication and all three books continue to
rank unbroken. She is currently working on her new novel, Tobias, the story of a twelfth century minstrel and a broken life,
due to be released in 2015.

I have been asked to take part in a panel discussion on the The
Path Less Travelled: Indie Publishing and the Freedom to Explore in
celebration of the inaugural HNSA conference in Sydney in March 2015. Part of
this involvement is to guest post for the HNSA blog and I thought the best post
I could offer was indeed that path less travelled, and that the best people
from whom to gain information were those successful historical fiction writers
who have chosen to think outside that very traditional and narrow square.

It is that visionary, exciting, forward-thinking move that
has enabled good independent writers to prove beyond measure that they haven’t
needed the tick of approval from the mainstream system. Quite simply, they have
something credible, entertaining and MARKETABLE and which has resulted in
legions of readers who wait impatiently for the next book from those writers.

In my own case - being independent has indeed given me the
freedom to explore. In respect of The
Gisborne Trilogy it would never have seen the light of day if I had
submitted mainstream, because it is based on a character from history, perhaps
a legend (who knows) and one that is from an unfashionable timeframe (according
to mainstream) and is not the blood and guts style of historical fiction of
someone like Bernard Cornwell. But not only that, I took my protagonist far
from the traditional Robin Hood canon. I would have received a short rejection
slip, end of argument.

That said, the books have ranked unbroken in Amazon.co.uk’s Top 100 for biographical fiction for
over 16 months and with all seven of my books, both historic fantasy and
historic fiction, they trundle along quietly winning awards and rankings
without the massive publicity machine of the mainstream system behind them. To me,
that indicates that readers will seek out good content in the genre of their
choice. The publishing method means little.

In a more diverse sense, I think self-published authors are
unafraid to pursue the path less travelled because they have absolutely nothing
to lose. That IS the path less travelled. We can visit any timeframe
from ANY angle, ungoverned by an editor-in-chief or a marketing department.

The authors contributing to this post have always been
exceptionally professional in their approach. They employ editors,
beta-readers, cover designers and manage the marketing programme with
professional diligence which is why their readership grows exponentially.

From Alex Martin,
author of the most wonderful World War One Saga – Daffodils and its sequel, Peace
Lily:

‘Being 'out there' in
the public eye is both brave and foolhardy but readers are the best judges of
whether a book works. Agents and publishers, as far as I can see, want books
that sell. Indie writers have more freedom to write stories that move them,
where they can bare their souls, reach out to kindred spirits and touch hearts,
if they can, without trying to fit a particular genre, and it gives me immense
satisfaction to know that I have achieved that. It is here that genuine
exploration can occur, without the mercenary ties of making it pay (though very
welcome!) and I think it is here that future great writing will be found, not
exclusively of course, but the licence of independence gives creativity an
unfettered playground in which to chase that elusive muse… It is the future.’

From Steven M McKay
– high rating and best-selling author of a Robin Hood derivative, the superb Wolf’s Head series:

‘My debut novel, Wolf’s Head, was rejected by about a
dozen agents and would never have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for
self-publishing. Apparently there was no market for another re-telling of the
Robin Hood legend, but the fact it sold close to 20,000 copies within its first
year suggests readers thought otherwise...

As for the freedom
self-publishing brings? Well, I started off with a plan to write a trilogy, but
as I wrote the second book I realised I needed to add one more. I’m sure a
traditional mainstream publisher would either have wanted me to keep to the
original three-book plan, or, more than likely after the success of the first
book, demanded I string the series out over an unlimited number of novels,
milking the sales as much as possible regardless of how well the stories read.
I set my own deadlines for when I need to deliver a book, without someone
telling me what I need to do and when.’

I might add that Steven was invited by Amazon to be part of
their indie presentation at the London Book Fair and that he was one of the
first English indies to be invited by Audible.com to release his series in
audio.

FromLucinda Brant,
Australian author of Georgian romances, with a huge following in the UK and
Italy and who made the NY Times and USA Today Best Seller lists as an indie
author:

‘It has given me the
independence to stick by my convictions to write books set in the Georgian era
and know there is a viable market. I have been able to focus on the 18th
Century before the French Revolution, a period I love and know most about and
that is a wonderful freedom to have. I can write characters, situations and
outcomes the way I want them, not the way an editor tells me I must, or in a
way they think "will sell". I not only have the freedom to explore,
but also the freedom to direct all aspects of the process, from the creative
pen to publication. From writing what I want, to having what I want on the
covers, to employing translators, and choosing who will narrate my audiobooks…
It has also provided me with the financial freedom to "give up the day
job" to write full time and make a living. What could be better than that?’

Lucinda is a prime example of the quality of an indie author
– someone I consider a quiet achiever. She has won medals and awards in the
United States and her books rank in Top 100’s across the globe. Her Pinterest
account, a visual homage to the eighteenth century, has even secured media
attention in the USA.

From Gordon Doherty,
best selling author of the acclaimed Strategos
series:

‘Being indie can be an
advantage and offers significant creative freedom. Also, readers seek out good
stories rather than ones tagged as 'indie published' or 'mainstream published'.

From the mega-selling author of Marius’s Mules and The
Ottoman Cycle as well as standalone historical fantasy books, the
incomparable SJA Turney:

‘For me, I would say
that I began my publishing journey with both a Roman military novel and a
historical fantasy, so I was lucky to enter the scene already exploring more
than one literary path. However, had I been tied to a book deal with a
traditional publisher, I suspect I would have had to work exclusively on one or
both series from then on. Instead, I launched into a third series purely
because I read about an event that fascinated me and wrote three extra
as-yet-unpublished standalones because the mood took me. Just the other day I
shifted my anticipated novel plan up half a year simply because I had a
wonderful idea for a standalone book and wanted to write it. Without the
freedom self-publishing has granted me, I doubt these extra books - each of
which explores new periods, themes and styles - would ever have seen the light
of day.’

Simon has an immense global following and is often mentioned
in the same breath as Ben Kane, Douglas Jackson and others. He, too, left his
day job behind a long while ago and his success proves that in the mind of the
reader, the content is the important thing, NOT the publisher.

But perhaps the most powerful view is one from a former
Random House author with a plethora of titles to her credit and a longstanding
position as an elegant writer in the literary style. Ann Swinfen has leaped from strength to strength since becoming
indie and has the experience of both sides of the publishing world. And a
jaw-dropping experience it is too:

‘After years of being
told There is no market for historical
fiction, I turned my back on my agent and traditional publishing, and
joyfully embraced the indie world. Here I have set up my own imprint, Shakenoak
Press, and publish in both paperback and Kindle format. I am free to choose my
period and genre – the genre is literary historical and, so far, the periods
have been first, sixteenth and seventeenth century. I am in control of the
whole process, from cover design to pricing, and most recently have enjoyed the
wonderful experience of working with a distinguished actress, Serena
Scott-Thomas, on the audio book of The
Testament of Mariam. My books which were allowed to go out of print by
Random House are available once more, while my five historical novels are also
doing well. To say, as so many traditional publishers do, that There is no market for historical fiction
is a myth. There is a flourishing market for historical fiction of every type.’

I would like to finish this post by quoting Ann once more.
She spells out the position of we, the indie writers, very eloquently –

‘Once, it might have
been ‘the path less travelled’. Not any more. We have donned our travelling
cloaks, seized our staffs and our knapsacks, and we are out there, exploring
whole new worlds of historical fiction. We’re free, and we’re loving it!’

Many thanks to Prue for taking the time to garner the
opinions of so many fabulous indie and hybrid authors for this piece. Thanks
also to those very same authors for sharing their views. I found them
inspirational.

As a ‘hybrid’ author who has found freedom by diverging onto
the indie path, I am very much looking forward to chairing the Path Less Travelled panel with Prue and
GS Johnston. We’ll also be joined by Felicity Pulman who has dipped her toe
successfully into self-publishing at times. The world of publishing is changing
rapidly and the flexibility and freedom now afforded to authors is an exciting
one!

Elisabeth Storrs, author of the Tales of Ancient Rome series.

Book of Kings by Prue Batten

In this final book of The Gisborne Saga, Gisborne, spymaster and
valued knight of Richard Lionheart, is beguiled into a fierce duel in
which his wife and son are thrust round the board in a brutal game of
revenge.

Is it the Knights Templar who seek to avenge their own? Or is it
Eleanor of Aquitaine who claims Gisborne is a traitor to England? Or is
it someone from Gisborne’s own cadre?

Trust is the only commodity of any value at a time when life could
end with the flight of an arrow, but can Gisborne be trusted enough and
will his wife and son survive his obsession?

Prue Batten will be appearing at the 2015 HNSA Conference in the following
panel:

22 March 2015

12.15-1.15 pm Session Four

The Path Less Travelled: Indie Publishing and the Freedom to Explore
The self-publishing revolution has given authors the opportunity to reach
readers directly and break through the constraints of writing about eras that
are only deemed ‘marketable’. Elisabeth Storrs discusses how
and why Prue Batten, GS Johnston and Felicity
Pulman chose to go off the beaten track to find their readership.

For more information on all our
panels, please visit our site for programme
details. And you can buy your tickets here.

You can also sign up to themailing list to be the first to keep up
to date with breaking news on the HNSA conference in 2015.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The next author in the ‘Few of my favourite things…’ 2015 HNSA Conference interview series is Barbara Gaskell Denvil who is participating our panel discussing What is it about the Tudors? An exploration of the phenomenon of ‘Tudorphilia’ on Sunday 22nd March 2015.

Barbara Gaskell Denvil

Barbara has been a writer all her life. Born in Gloucestershire, England, she soon moved to London and quickly built up a career publishing numerous short stories and articles while also working as a literary reviewer and critic for ‘Books and Bookmen’, a literary editor, publishers’ reader, and television script writer. She then spent many hot and colourful years sailing the Mediterranean and living in various different countries throughout Europe. When her partner died, she moved to rural Australia where she still lives amongst the parrots and wallabies, while writing full time. With a passionate interest in the late medieval and Tudor periods of English history, she has now published three novels set in this era. Satin Cinnabar is self-published on Kindle, while Sumerford’s Autumn and The King’s Shadow are published in Australia by Simon and Schuster, and are available both online and in all Australian bookshops. All three are novels of adventure, mystery and romance with a strict adherence to historical accuracy.

You might also like to follow her blog where she writes fascinating posts about her research. And connect with her on Facebook.

Barbara, please share with us what is or was your favourite…

Book as a child and as a teenager?

My earliest memory of loving any particular book was with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and that youthful discovery was sheer delight. I still consider it a remarkable book, and most of the rest of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series is equally brilliant (though some more than others!) My love of mystical fantasy was born – and continued, for as a teenager I was immediately split between the pleasures of the Regency romance – especially Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer which was an absolute joy for those bursting hormones – and the more thoughtful genius of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I still believe that the magic of Middle Earth is unsurpassed, whereas Georgette Heyer also remains an occasional pleasure when I’m feeling despondent. Reading Tolkien when despondent would certainly not lighten the spirits – whereas the Marques of Vidal surely does. Soon afterwards I read Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond series and that set me off with a passionate love of historical fiction. I’ve moved on to a thousand other books and some of them have become huge favourites, but those early experiences remain in my heart. I was unaware of being influenced at the time, but I now realise that I most certainly was.

Author/authors?

The list would be too long. I admire anyone who has written a book from the heart in whatever genre, but my two particular passions are historical fiction and fantasy. Dorothy Dunnett is the pinnacle for any lover of history along with Mary Renault – whereas there is also the absolute wealth of non-fiction to explore; a beautiful as well as necessary bottomless pit for writers of historical fiction. For non-fiction I greatly admire Annette Carson and Ian Mortimer, but there are many others. One of my greatest loves is Shakespeare, and most of the classics are amazing, but I also love a hundred of the new authors, especially those who are branching out in the worlds of fantasy.

Satin Cinnabar

Period of history?

My time-machine would be kept very busy. I have loved so many eras – the Regency – the Tudor – the Vikings – the Restoration – and of course, not only am I fascinated by all these eras and their amazing characters, but I would also be determined to discover the truth of all those historical mysteries we are now left with. The huge characters of the past grip me most. What was Henry VIII really like? How about the incredible Earl of Rochester? The Duke of Wellington? Shakespeare himself? Oh I could go on and on. I hope Amazon delivers my time-machine as soon as possible, I’m waiting impatiently! But my very first turn of the dial would take me back to 1483. That would be my absolute dream and I would love to meet Richard III and discover as much as possible about him. He is a minor character in my new book The King’s Shadow – while his presence is a major part of the background. The late medieval is such an intriguing period in history and definitely my favourite.

Character in one of your own books?

Without a doubt, my favourite character in my own books is Jasper, better known as Vespasian, who called himself after Emperor Vespasian for various reasons, the hero/villain in my novel Fair Weather. He was enormous fun to write and I came to know him very well. In the end I felt he was writing himself. He is by no means a normal romantic hero, and that makes him more interesting to me. However, I love all my characters, even the villains. Ludovic is the young handsome hero of Sumerford’s Autumn, and I loved to write about this arrogant young man who experienced such difficulties and suffering that throughout the book he grows and matures. Then there is Andrew, my hero in The King’s Shadow. He is very different to Ludovic, for Andrew is not a handsome man but he is highly skilled, very confident, mysterious and definitely unusual. Meet him, and you know you are safe, whatever challenges you face.

Sumerford's Autumn

Scene you enjoyed writing?

Now that’s really hard, simply because I enjoy them all. Sometimes, which sounds really awful, I most enjoy writing the sad scenes or the horrible scenes – simply because I get extremely engrossed and try very hard to express the emotions I feel myself. For instance, the bitter suffering so many people experienced – from battle, disease, the abuse of their families and monarchs and the harsh conditions of everyday life. The terrible pain of the past is really not appreciated by so many comfortable folk today. So I almost feel a duty of care to those who suffered long ago, as if I need to explain properly what they went through so that we can truly sympathise with them, and appreciate the improved conditions we have now. I think it sad when I read a book which describes the awful truth of the Plague with just a couple of lines – usually getting the symptoms wrong – and diminishing the appalling pain. So I try to write the truth about these things. I feel I owe it to those long gone. In both Sumerford’s Autumnand The King’s Shadow there are scenes of suffering or torture, violence and pain, and I don’t relish writing about these things, I simply feel I must. But both books also have scenes of considerable romance and loving, and those are much more fun to write.

Place to write?

My eyes are very bad, so I cannot use a tablet. I have a large screen desktop – and behind my desk is a large window looking out on the swathes of trees, bushes and flowers in my garden – resplendent with parrots, cockatoos and other wildlife. I encourage birds and wildlife into my garden and I can write about England 500 years ago while gazing out at Australian beauty at the same time. All this distracts me from the real world. Escapism! I confess to being an escapism addict.

Very slow steps, I’m afraid. The research is a permanent affair and has been for years, but while I am writing it is common for some small question to arise, so I need to look up and confirm the facts. So off I go to the bookshelves, I find the right one – or switch to Google and the net – and I’m lost for an hour or more. I do tend to write for 7 or 8 hours most days when I can, but I also re-write over and over and over. Every word matters to me. Then once the book is finished, I try and leave it a month or so in order to gain a somewhat more detached and objective point of view, and then I start again. I re-write from the beginning to the end. Then off the manuscript goes to my beta-readers, members of my family and others who are kind enough to read and give me criticism and feedback, and also to some who are historical experts on the relevant era. When those reports come back then it’s ‘here we go again’ – the last re-write. I edit as I go along, but luckily the publisher also has a wonderful editor as well. So from beginning to end (and I write long books) it usually takes an absorbing 7 to 9 months.

Method of writing i.e. longhand or typing?

Oh, definitely computer. I can enlarge the print and increase the back lighting which really helps because of my poor eyesight. As for those old days of the typewriter – gosh – I used to tear up pages over and over – or ruin them with huge splodges of liquid white. I love my computer, even though I’m no technological expert. Sometimes it drives me mad but I couldn’t write without it.

TV program /movie?

I’m a Game of Thrones fan – yes, it has many faults, but I’m in love with the characterisation and the absorbing unpredictability. I have a million favourite films, but perhaps The Lord of the Rings trilogy stands out in recent years. Escapism again, and so full of atmospheric magic. I am most interested in the transposition of word to film.

Comfort food?

Must I confess? Sadly I run to all the bad things. Mashed potato, cream cakes, fresh crusty bread with lots of butter, and puddings with custard. And – of course – that greatest bliss of all – chocolate. But I like the real thing; dark and rich and intense. I must also admit to being overweight – whereas for practically all my life I was skinny with a very high metabolism. I still ate everything and it didn’t affect me. Now it does! But my greatest comfort isn’t food at all – it is escapism into the amazing atmosphere and intrigue of the past and the joy of making that past come alive on the page.

The King’s Shadow

Andrew Cobham is a man of unconventional behaviour, his home is unusually grand, and he answers no questions. But as he keeps his own secrets safe, so he works to uncover those of others.

It is 1483 and King Edward IV sits England’s throne, but no king rules unchallenged. Often it is those closest to him who are the unexpected danger. When the king dies suddenly without clear cause, then rumour replaces fact – and Andrew Cobham is already working behind the scenes.

Tyballis, when orphaned young, was forced into marriage with her neighbour, a bully and simpleton. When she escapes his abuse, she meets Andrew Cobham, and gradually an uneasy alliance forms. This is a friendship which will take them in unusual directions as Tyballis becomes embroiled in Andrew’s work and the danger which surrounds him.

Eventually it is a motley gathering of thieves, informers, prostitutes and children that joins the game, determined to help Andrew uncover treason. Abduction, murder, intrigue and political subterfuge come to a climax as the country is thrown onto the brink of war.

But meanwhile within the privacy of their domestic life, Andrew and Tyballis discover something neither had planned.

Barbara will be appearing at the 2015 HNSA Conference in the following panel:

9.45-10.45 am Session Two

What is it about the Tudors?
The world’s appetite for historical fiction set in Tudor times continues to grow. What is it about this particular royal house that is so compelling? Are publishers ‘playing it safe’ by not encouraging novels set in other eras? What impact has Tudor fiction had on the popularity of historical fiction as a genre? Natalie Grueninger, Wendy J Dunn, Barbara Gaskell Denvil and Lauren Mackay will explore the phenomenon of Tudorphilia.

For more information on all our panels, please visit our site for programme details. And you can buy your tickets here.

You can also sign up to themailing list to be the first to keep up to date with breaking news on the HNSA conference in 2015.

Monday, December 1, 2014

The Historical Novel Society Australasia is proud that our conference programme for 20-22 March 2015 includes fabulous speakers who have very generously agreed to support the society with this inaugural event. Among those appearing are Kate Forsyth, Sulari Gentill, Toni Jordan, Nicole Alexander, Blanche D'Alpuget, Sophie Masson, Colin Falconer and many, many more. Visit our website to see the entire list.

Our
philosophy is that all writers deserve to be paid for their time so we've created a Pozible campaign to raise money for speakers' fees. We would love it if you would consider donating by visiting our Pozible campaign page here. Help us
ensure our keynote speaker and presenters are monetarily rewarded for appearing
at the HNSA conference.

Those donating $30 will go into a draw to win a free copy of one of the historical novels from the following authors.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HNS AUSTRALASIA

Welcome to the Historical Novel Society Australasia. We are open to all enthusiasts of the historical fiction genre world wide. Join our FACEBOOK GROUP for discussions on history, writing, reading, and publishing historical fiction. We look forward to connecting with you at www.hnsa.org.au Contact us at contact@hnsa.org.au

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